Xiao Wu's Thoughts

After seeing Rongrong off, Chu Qing returned to his room to carefully examine his physical state.

His hypothesis had been correct! Ever since he awakened his soul power at the age of six, the Nihility Devouring Flame had undergone two minor evolutions alongside his constant battles, breakthroughs, and growth, awakening many new traits. However, it appeared there were side effects after all! While his strength improved rapidly, the accompanying power of the karmic fire had accumulated within his body, breeding evil thoughts in his mind. This karmic fire was clogging his meridians and clouding his clarity of mind.

This was what had made it so difficult for his strength to advance even an inch. If he possessed an ordinary martial soul, he would never have been so troubled. Chu Qing offered a bitter smile; who told him his martial soul had to be the fierce and unyielding Nihility Devouring Flame?

This kind of karmic energy was incredibly potent, far beyond what an ordinary person could withstand. Xiao Wu, however, was the perfect candidate. As a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who had taken human form, her physical constitution was more than capable of absorbing it, and it would even be of great benefit to her own cultivation.

The karmic fire was a useless obstruction to Chu Qing's cultivation, but when released into Xiao Wu's body, it became a rare source of energy that could help her increase the intensity of her soul power.

It seems I will have to seek her out more often in the future! Besides, this girl doesn't seem to mind, Chu Qing mused to himself.

After the release, his state of mind was exceptionally clear, reaching the peak he had not touched in three years. The sense of power and spiritual energy within him surged like the Yangtze River, flowing without end.

His soul power had also condensed into a near-tangible state, thick and rich like honey overflowing from a cup. Now that everything was prepared, he only lacked a third soul ring to successfully break through to level thirty.

He had a premonition that if he broke through this time, his strength would certainly ascend to a new level!

And his Nihility Devouring Flame would surely undergo new changes as well!

Having finished his inspection, Chu Qing opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them. He channeled his soul power and looked into his Storage Ring. The Whale Rubber that Yu Tianheng had lost to him, the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone of the Blue Silver Emperor, and that faint Blue Silver Grass remained there.

Since arriving at Shrek Academy, he had not yet begun to utilize these resources. Chu Qing watched for a moment before deciding to absorb the Whale Rubber first. It was said to have the effect of increasing the age of a soul ring and strengthening one's physique. Strengthening his physique was unnecessary, as his body had long been tempered by the Nihility Devouring Flame into something incredibly powerful—one could say he possessed a body of steel and iron.

As for the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone of the Blue Silver Emperor, he could not touch it yet. It was not that he lacked the strength to absorb it, but while the soul bone was safe inside the Storage Ring—which had the function of shielding external perception—if he were to absorb and refine it, Tang Hao, who was currently observing Tang San in secret, would certainly detect it immediately.

His strength was not yet sufficient; he could not do this for the time being. A Title Douluo, after all.

Chu Qing's desire to grow stronger burned even hotter. Only by becoming a true powerhouse could he hold his own fate in his hands!

On the other side, after Xiao Wu ran out of the cafeteria, she did not stop until she returned to her dormitory. She sat on her bed without saying a word, and soon it was night.

She still could not understand why her Third Brother was so uncomprehending of her. He was not even as considerate as Chu Qing.

Thinking of Chu Qing, she could not help but recall the time they spent that morning. Although he was forceful, he was not without tenderness, even gently helping her clean up afterward. He had not lied to her either; she had actually broken through to level 30. That gentle source of energy continued to nourish her meridians, providing no small benefit to her cultivation.

At this thought, her face flushed, and her emotions began to fluctuate again.

"Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Why are you crying like this? Your face is all red!"

The cold Zhu Zhuqing walked in. Although she was usually aloof, she was a person who valued relationships deeply. Seeing Xiao Wu upset, even though they had just met, she could not help but show concern.

"Did that Third Brother of yours make you angry? He came to our dorm to look for you this morning, saying you were his sister. I don't think he's a good person; why are you with him?"

Xiao Wu was stunned and quickly denied it: "No, Third Brother and I are not a couple. We are just... just ordinary siblings."

"I knew it! How could a beauty like you ever fancy someone as ordinary as Tang San! Looking at how he acts, he has no charm and isn't handsome enough, nowhere near as good as that senior named Chu Qing."

"He's handsome, sunny, and willing to help others. When I came to report to the school, I wasn't familiar with anything, and he handled everything for me."

Zhu Zhuqing spoke at length; she also had a favorable impression of this handsome senior.

"So, he has that kind of image in other people's eyes?" Xiao Wu was dazed. When she thought of Chu Qing, what appeared in her mind was an image that was charming, cold, yet gentle and powerful.

"If it weren't for the fact that he already has Rongrong, I would have wanted to pursue him myself!" Zhu Zhuqing said playfully.

"Rongrong?" Xiao Wu was startled, immediately recalling that bright and beautiful girl.

"That's right, can't you tell? It's obvious they are a couple. Even if they haven't said anything, anyone with eyes can see it," Zhu Zhuqing said.

For some reason, upon hearing this news, Xiao Wu suddenly felt a sense of distress in her heart. Even though she had been coerced, why did she feel such disappointment upon hearing he had another woman?

She did not notice at all that the unpleasantness and disappointment she felt toward Tang San at noon had long since been cast to the back of her mind. At this moment, all she could think about was the boy named Chu Qing.

"Forget it, forget it. It's getting late, let's sleep, Zhuqing. I'm fine! Thank you for your concern."

Seeing that Xiao Wu seemed happier, Zhu Zhuqing stopped talking; she quite liked this cute girl.

Afterward, the two of them fell asleep.

Three days later, at the entrance of Shrek Academy.

Dean Flender was waiting quietly. Once everyone had arrived, he cleared his throat and said: "This time, Teacher Zhao will lead the team. Mubai, explain things to the juniors."

Dai Mubai responded and began: "The Star Dou Great Forest is one of the three major gathering places for soul beasts on the Douluo Continent. There are many powerful soul beasts inside. There are even rumors that a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast exists in the center of the forest. Everyone must be careful!"

Afterward, he looked at the cold Zhu Zhuqing beside him and said with a smile: "Zhuqing, just hide behind me, brother will protect you."

Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes at him without answering, ignoring his words entirely.

Dai Mubai laughed awkwardly: "Ahem, everyone, check your equipment again. Make sure you don't leave anything behind. The Star Dou Great Forest is extremely dangerous; you must be fully prepared!"

Following this, the group from Shrek Academy left together and soon arrived at the small town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.